166 Analysis and Design of Machine Elements

3 What factors affect the uniformity of chain speed transmission?

4 What lubrication methods are available for chain drives? How does one select a suit-
able method?

5 How could one improve operating conditions if wear occurs on a roller chain?

Objective Questions
1 A power transmission includes a belt drive, a chain drive and a gear drive. Which of
the following is the best arrangement between a motor and a working machine?
(a) belt drive gear drive chain drive
(b) chain drive gear drive belt drive
(c) belt drive chain drive gear drive
(d) chain drive belt drive gear drive

2 In a chain drive, reducing the number of teeth of driving sprocket will

cause________.
(a) the severity of speed unevenness of chain drive
(b) the chain to jump off the sprocket more easily after wear
(c) poor lubrication that may lead to gluing
(d) the increase of rotational speed of driving sprocket

3 At a constant rotational speed, if we want to reduce speed unevenness and dynamics

load of a chain drive, we can ___________.
(a) increase p and z1
(b) increase p and reduce z1
(c) reduce p and increase z1
(d) reduce p and z1
(where z1 is the number of teeth of driving sprocket, p is pitch)

4 The number of rows of a multiple-strand chain is generally no more than four to ___.
(a) facilitate installation
(b) limit axial width of chain drive
(c) ensure even loading on each row
(d) reduce the weight of chain

5 The purpose of limiting the maximum number of sprocket teeth is _________.

(a) to ensure the strength of chain
(b) to ensure the transmission stability of chain drive
(c) to ensure the speed ratio selection of chain drive
(d) to prevent the chain from jumping off the sprocket
 Chain Drives 167

Calculation Questions
1 A chain drive with pitch p = 25.4 mm rotates at n1 = 750 rpm. The number of teeth
of driving sprocket is z1 = 23. Determine the average speed v, the maximum speed
vmax and the minimum speed vmin .

2 A single-strand roller chain is used to transmit power between a 23-tooth driving

sprocket and a 69-tooth driven sprocket. The rotational speed of driving sprocket
is 960 rpm. If the rotational speed of driven sprocket is reduced to 210 rpm:
(a) What is the number of teeth of driving sprocket if the teeth number of the
driven sprocket is kept unchanged? What will be the power transmitted?
(b) What is the number of teeth of a driven sprocket if the teeth number of the
driving sprocket is kept unchanged? What will be the power transmitted?
(c) Compare the two approaches: which one is better?

3 A single-strand 08A chain operates on a 20-tooth sprocket at 750 rpm. The small
sprocket is applied to the shaft of an electric motor and the output sprocket to a
conveyor. Determine the power rating for the single-strand chain. What would be
the rating for four strands?

4 A four strand 08A roller chain is proposed to transmit power from a 21-tooth driv-
ing sprocket that rotates at 1200 rpm. The driven sprocket is to rotate at one-third
the speed of the driving sprocket.
(a) Determine the power that can be transmitted by the chain drive;
(b) Estimate the centre distance if the chain length is 82 pitches;
(c) Describe the preferred method of lubrication.

Design Problems
1 Design a roller chain drive to transmit 10 kW. The rotational speed of motor is
n = 970 rpm. The speed ratio of the chain drive is i = 3, uniform power transmission
and centre distance no less than 550 mm.

2 A 5 kW 750 rpm electric motor is to drive an agitator at 325 rpm. The motor shaft
will be in approximately the same horizontal plane as the agitator shaft. Specify the
chain size, the sizes and number of teeth of sprockets, the number of chain pitches
and the centre distance.

3 A heavy conveyor is to be driven at 250 rpm by a 30 kW six-cylinder engine with an

input speed of 500 rpm. The centre distance is approximately 1000 mm. Moderate
shock loading is expected. Select a suitable roller chain and associated sprockets for
this application.
168 Analysis and Design of Machine Elements

4 A rock crusher is driven by a 75 kW hydraulic drive at a speed of 625 rpm. The rock
crusher is to operate at 225 rpm, subject to heavy service. A centre distance of from
1000 to 1500 mm will be acceptable. Design a roller chain drive.

Structure Design Problems

1 In the design of chain sprocket, the number of teeth of driving and driven sprockets
are limited by zmin = 9 and zmax = 120, respectively. Explain the reason.

2 In chain design, why the speed ratio has a limitation of less than 8?

3 In Figure P7.1, the large sprocket is the driven sprocket. Decide on the rotational
direction of the small sprocket.

(a) (b) (c)

Figure P7.1 Illustration for Structure Design Problem 3.

4 In a chain drive design, two choices are available, that is, (1) p = 12.7 mm, z1 = 38;
(2) p = 25.4 mm, z1 = 19. Compare the two selections in respective of operating
smoothness and dynamic loads.

5 An electric motor at a speed of 1500 rpm is to drive a device at 15 rpm. A belt drive,
gear drive and chain drive can be used. Propose at least two layouts to transmit the
motion and compare them.

CAD Problems
1 Write a flow chart for the design process of a chain drive.

2 Develop a program to implement a user interface similar to Figure P7.2 and complete
the Example Problem 7.1.